No. 37 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 37 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) transport squadron. Formed in July 1943 at RAAF Station Laverton
, Victoria, it currently operates C-130H and C-130J Hercules aircraft from RAAF Base Richmond
, New South Wales. The unit saw active service flying C-60 Lodestars and C-47 Dakotas in World War II
, before being disbanded in 1948. It reformed at Richmond in 1966 with C-130E Hercules, and operated flights between Australia and South-East Asia during the Vietnam War
. The squadron has since been heavily involved in disaster relief in Australia and the region, as well as peacekeeping missions in the Pacific and the Middle East. Its motto is "Foremost".
, Victoria. It was first equipped with twin-engined Lockheed C-60 Lodestar transports and operated out of Parafield
, South Australia, and Morotai
in the Dutch East Indies. Towards the end of World War II, it re-equipped with Douglas C-47 Dakota twin-engined transports. By May 1945, No. 37 Squadron was based in Essendon
, Victoria. Following the end of hostilities, it was engaged in transporting former prisoners of war from Singapore
to Australia, and later in conveying equipment to Japan for the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
. In August 1946, it joined Nos. 36
and 38 Squadrons
, also flying Dakotas, as units of No. 86 Wing
at RAAF Station Schofields
, New South Wales. In February 1948, No. 37 Squadron was disbanded at Schofields.
No. 37 Squadron reformed at RAAF Base Richmond
, New South Wales, in February 1966. Equipped with Lockheed C-130E Hercules, it began long-range missions in support of Australian forces in Vietnam including aero-medical evacuations conveying wounded soldiers back to Australia, generally via RAAF Base Butterworth, Malaysia. On 5 February 1967, one of the unit's Hercules was the first Australian strategic transport aircraft to land at Vung Tau
. The squadron also transported forces out of Vietnam following the Australian withdrawal from the conflict in December 1972. As well as participating in military exercises and overseas peacekeeping commitments, the Hercules became well known in the Southern Pacific after being called on for relief following many natural disasters including tidal waves in New Guinea, cyclones in the Solomons and Tonga
, and fires and floods throughout Australia. It played a vital part in the evacuation of civilians following Cyclone Tracy
in Darwin
, Northern Territory, in 1974–75; a No. 37 Squadron C-130E was the first aircraft to touch down in Darwn following the disaster. The Hercules also evacuated Australian embassy personnel from Saigon, South Vietnam, and Phnom Penh
, Cambodia, following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. In January–February 1979, two No. 37 Squadron C-130Es evacuated Australian and other foreign embassy staff from Tehran
, shortly before the collapse of royal rule during the Iranian Revolution
. In 1980, the squadron began operations with two ex-Qantas
Boeing 707
s, but handed them over to No. 33 Flight at the beginning of 1981.
In 1986, No. 37 Squadron transported the Popemobile
s on John Paul II's tour of Australia; its other unusual cargoes have included kangaroos and sheep to Malaysia, and archaeological exhibits from China. In February 1987, the unit again joined No. 36 Squadron, along with No. 33 Squadron
, as part of a reformed No. 86 Wing under the newly established Air Lift Group
. The following year, No. 37 Squadron achieved 200,000 accident-free flying hours on the Hercules.
The Australian public had the experience of flying in the C-130s when they were employed by the Federal Government to provide air transport during the 1989 Australian pilots' dispute that curtailed operations by the two domestic airlines.
Described as one of the "busiest" and "hardest-working" units in the RAAF, No. 37 Squadron re-equipped with new-model C-130J Hercules in 1999. The unit has continued to support Australian peacekeeping missions around the world, including transport operations during the first Gulf War
in 1990–91, and following the 2003 invasion of Iraq
. It was strengthened to create a "super squadron" on 17 November 2006, when its force of twelve C-130Js was augmented by twelve C-130Hs from No. 36 Squadron, prior to the latter re-equipping with the Boeing C-17 Globemasters and relocating to RAAF Base Amberley
, Queensland. In July 2008, No. 37 Squadron celebrated the 65th anniversary of its establishment during World War II. It was transferred from No. 86 Wing to No. 84 Wing
on 1 October 2010, as part of a restructure of Air Lift Group.
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) transport squadron. Formed in July 1943 at RAAF Station Laverton
RAAF Williams
RAAF Williams comprises the two bases of Point Cook and Laverton. Both establishments previously existed as separate RAAF Bases until 1999 when they were amalgamated to form RAAF Williams...
, Victoria, it currently operates C-130H and C-130J Hercules aircraft from RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
, New South Wales. The unit saw active service flying C-60 Lodestars and C-47 Dakotas in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, before being disbanded in 1948. It reformed at Richmond in 1966 with C-130E Hercules, and operated flights between Australia and South-East Asia during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. The squadron has since been heavily involved in disaster relief in Australia and the region, as well as peacekeeping missions in the Pacific and the Middle East. Its motto is "Foremost".
History
No. 37 Squadron was established in July 1943 at RAAF Station LavertonRAAF Williams
RAAF Williams comprises the two bases of Point Cook and Laverton. Both establishments previously existed as separate RAAF Bases until 1999 when they were amalgamated to form RAAF Williams...
, Victoria. It was first equipped with twin-engined Lockheed C-60 Lodestar transports and operated out of Parafield
Parafield Airport
Parafield Airport is on the edge of the residential suburb of Parafield, South Australia, 18 kilometres north of the Adelaide Central business district and adjacent to the Mawson Lakes campus of the University of South Australia. It is Adelaide's second airport and the fifth busiest airport in...
, South Australia, and Morotai
Morotai
Morotai Island Regency is a regency of North Maluku province, Indonesia, located on Morotai Island. The population was 54,876 in 2007.-History:...
in the Dutch East Indies. Towards the end of World War II, it re-equipped with Douglas C-47 Dakota twin-engined transports. By May 1945, No. 37 Squadron was based in Essendon
Essendon Airport
Essendon Airport is located at Essendon, in Melbourne's northern suburbs, Victoria, Australia. It is located next to the Tullamarine Freeway on , from the Melbourne Central Business District and from Melbourne Airport.-History:...
, Victoria. Following the end of hostilities, it was engaged in transporting former prisoners of war from Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
to Australia, and later in conveying equipment to Japan for the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
British Commonwealth Occupation Force
The British Commonwealth Occupation Force , was the name of the joint Australian, Canadian, British, Indian and New Zealand military forces in occupied Japan, from 21 February 1946 until the end of occupation in 1952...
. In August 1946, it joined Nos. 36
No. 36 Squadron RAAF
No. 36 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It currently operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley. The Squadron has seen active service flying transport aircraft during World War II, the Berlin Airlift, Korean War, Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq...
and 38 Squadrons
No. 38 Squadron RAAF
No. 38 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1943 and saw active service in the Second World War, Korean War and Malayan Emergency. No. 38 Squadron has also supported Australian peacekeeping operations around the world including in Kashmir and East...
, also flying Dakotas, as units of No. 86 Wing
No. 86 Wing RAAF
No. 86 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force transport wing. Coming under the aegis of Air Lift Group, it is headquartered at RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales. The wing comprises No. 36 Squadron, operating Boeing C-17 Globemasters, and No. 38 Squadron, flying Beechcraft Super King Airs...
at RAAF Station Schofields
RAAF Station Schofields
RAAF Station Schofields was an aerodrome built by the Royal Australian Air Force between 1942-1944 at Schofields, New South Wales, Australia during World War II.The aerodrome was constructed for use as a satellite aerodrome for RAAF Station Richmond...
, New South Wales. In February 1948, No. 37 Squadron was disbanded at Schofields.
No. 37 Squadron reformed at RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
, New South Wales, in February 1966. Equipped with Lockheed C-130E Hercules, it began long-range missions in support of Australian forces in Vietnam including aero-medical evacuations conveying wounded soldiers back to Australia, generally via RAAF Base Butterworth, Malaysia. On 5 February 1967, one of the unit's Hercules was the first Australian strategic transport aircraft to land at Vung Tau
Vung Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a city in southern Vietnam. Its population in 2005 was 240,000. The city area is including 13 urban wards and one village. It is the capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and is the crude oil extraction center of Vietnam. It is also known as one of the most beautiful cities of tourism...
. The squadron also transported forces out of Vietnam following the Australian withdrawal from the conflict in December 1972. As well as participating in military exercises and overseas peacekeeping commitments, the Hercules became well known in the Southern Pacific after being called on for relief following many natural disasters including tidal waves in New Guinea, cyclones in the Solomons and Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
, and fires and floods throughout Australia. It played a vital part in the evacuation of civilians following Cyclone Tracy
Cyclone Tracy
Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974...
in Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
, Northern Territory, in 1974–75; a No. 37 Squadron C-130E was the first aircraft to touch down in Darwn following the disaster. The Hercules also evacuated Australian embassy personnel from Saigon, South Vietnam, and Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security,...
, Cambodia, following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. In January–February 1979, two No. 37 Squadron C-130Es evacuated Australian and other foreign embassy staff from Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, shortly before the collapse of royal rule during the Iranian Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
. In 1980, the squadron began operations with two ex-Qantas
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
s, but handed them over to No. 33 Flight at the beginning of 1981.
In 1986, No. 37 Squadron transported the Popemobile
Popemobile
Popemobile is an informal name for the specially designed motor vehicles used by the pope during outdoor public appearances without having to employ the antiquated and often impractical sedia gestatoria. The Popemobile was designed to allow the pope to be more visible when greeting large crowds...
s on John Paul II's tour of Australia; its other unusual cargoes have included kangaroos and sheep to Malaysia, and archaeological exhibits from China. In February 1987, the unit again joined No. 36 Squadron, along with No. 33 Squadron
No. 33 Squadron RAAF
No. 33 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It was formed in 1942 for service during World War II. Following the completion of hostilities the squadron was disbanded in 1946. In 1981 the squadron was re-raised as a flight-sized organisation before being expanded to a full...
, as part of a reformed No. 86 Wing under the newly established Air Lift Group
Air Lift Group RAAF
Air Lift Group is one of five Groups in the Royal Australian Air Force, which is responsible for Airlift and Air-to-Air refuelling capabilities.Airlift capabilities can be classified as:...
. The following year, No. 37 Squadron achieved 200,000 accident-free flying hours on the Hercules.
The Australian public had the experience of flying in the C-130s when they were employed by the Federal Government to provide air transport during the 1989 Australian pilots' dispute that curtailed operations by the two domestic airlines.
Described as one of the "busiest" and "hardest-working" units in the RAAF, No. 37 Squadron re-equipped with new-model C-130J Hercules in 1999. The unit has continued to support Australian peacekeeping missions around the world, including transport operations during the first Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
in 1990–91, and following the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
. It was strengthened to create a "super squadron" on 17 November 2006, when its force of twelve C-130Js was augmented by twelve C-130Hs from No. 36 Squadron, prior to the latter re-equipping with the Boeing C-17 Globemasters and relocating to RAAF Base Amberley
RAAF Base Amberley
RAAF Base Amberley is a Royal Australian Air Force base located southwest of Ipswich, Queensland and southwest of Brisbane. It is currently home to No. 1 Squadron and No. 6 Squadron , No. 33 Squadron and No. 36 Squadron...
, Queensland. In July 2008, No. 37 Squadron celebrated the 65th anniversary of its establishment during World War II. It was transferred from No. 86 Wing to No. 84 Wing
No. 84 Wing RAAF
No. 84 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force wing. It consists of three air transport squadrons and two training units . No. 84 Wing's headquarters are located at RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney.-References:*...
on 1 October 2010, as part of a restructure of Air Lift Group.